London Food & Drink News: 16 February 2012

Soho cichetti sensation, Polpo, has extended its opening hours so that it is now open from noon to 11pm, Monday through Saturday. Meanwhile sister restaurant, Polpetto, has just now become available to hire for private parties.

Andy and Arjun Varma, formerly of the V8 Gourmet business, have opened Chakra, an upscale Indian restaurant in Notting Hill. From what Londonist ascertained at the launch party, diners can expect decent food (but not too much yummier that what you're probably used to at your local curry house) at upscale, Notting Hill prices in an exceptionally plush setting. And if that launch party (with Gary Lineker and Duncan Bannatyne schmoozing in the same room at the same time) was any sort of indicator of things to come, Chakra might prove a particularly fertile venue for celebrity sightings.

Chef-patron of Le Café Anglais, Rowley Leigh, will launch an “Eat Roots, Shoots & Leaves” menu on 21 February, to run throughout Lent. The menu will be available for both lunch and dinner and offer a lighter take on Rowley’s modern British cooking. With seasonal fruit and vegetables taking centre stage, the menu will change daily according to market supply. Sample dishes include puntarella with anchovies, scallops and Jerusalem artichokes with hazelnut oil, roast hare with beetroot, seared mackerel with rhubarb, chilli and mint, and Seville orange sorbet.

Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar is joining forces with some of the country’s leading chefs to create a series of fusion menus to be served at the Benares bar in Mayfair. Beginning with Anna Hansen on 21 February, Atul will also be joined by Richard Corrigan on 20 March, David Thompson on 16 April and Nigel Haworth on 3 May. Each chef will work closely with Atul to prepare a menu of small plates reflecting the layers of flavours and spices Atul is famous for, combined with their own signature style.